Thread: Should I worry.
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Old Mon May 30, 2016, 10:49 AM
PaulS PaulS is offline
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Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: New York
Posts: 247
Hi Lindsay - I'm not a doctor, just a Dad who had a bone marrow disease - First a story -

When my first child was born we needed to take her to a pediatric endocrinologist at a major hospital because she had a genetic issue - she was an infant - the Dr. examined her curtly as if she were a piece of meat. He explained the situation and sent us for blood tests. My daughter became hysterical, crying struggling to get away - the nurses tried to hold her down... it dawned on me that whatever the test results were, they wouldn't have any impact on the treatment plan - I ran and confirmed that with the doctor - ran back and swept my daughter away from the phlebotomist and found a new doctor far from home who was not only highly skilled, but kind and gentle. (My daughter is now 26 and awesome). I learned its important to understand the purpose of any tests - and whether the results will make any difference in how something is treated - and to not tolerate fools for doctors.

If you can find another doctor who will listen to you and answer all your questions - I think it will pay off in the long term. If you can't - then you have to find a way to communicate better with yours so that you get your questions answered either during the visit or after.

As for now, sounds like you child is eating fairly well and is very aware of his iron issues - it must be scary being taken to specialists and being told you have some problem with your blood or bone marrow - would give me tingly bones. What I'd try first is giving your son a good multi vitamin with iron - He seems to respond well when given an iron supplement so maybe he just needs a little more - I wouldn't give him massive amounts - but he'll probably feel better if he knows he's taking some extra iron, even if its just a placebo effect (nothing wrong with a good placebo) - and watch his blood work to see what happens. I'd be concerned with instilling the idea in him that he has a chronic health problem if he doesn't - you want him to feel strong and healthy - like Popeye after he eats spinach -If he is otherwise healthy I wouldn't drive yourself or him crazy - assume the most benign explanation until proven wrong.

That said, it is something to keep an eye on and to keep trying to get a doctor to answer your questions - have you called the office? If not, do so and ask them your questions and ask them to have the doctor or someone call you back - or maybe you send an email? Take some time to compose your questions and think about any follow ups you might have given alternative responses - Is low retic something to be concerned about with or without anemia? What could be the cause? What are treatment options? Any harm in giving him a multivitamin or iron supplement - should I give him other nutritional supplements? Don't be intimidated and don't stop asking questions until you get an answer that you understand - if you don't understand a term - ask for an explanation - Keep asking WHY until you get answers that make sense - If you call the doctor I'd think the doctor would at least have a nurse get back to you with the answers.

Doctors can be intimidating - especially when your children are involved - just treat them like a normal person who doesn't know everything - you're a MOM after all - you do know everything

Sounds like you have a great kid and he has a great Mom! I think everything will be OK. Keep us posted.

Best,
paul
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